Liquid dispenser

ABSTRACT

A cap assembly for drinking vessels including an upper unit and a lower unit. The lower unit including a plug member coupled to a base member, wherein the lower unit is configured to receive within a mouth of the drinking vessel. The plug member can expand against the wall of the mouth for sealably engaging the cap assembly to the mouth of the drinking vessel. The upper unit can be fastened to the lower unit, wherein the upper unit is configured to cause the plug member to expand and retract. The lower unit and the upper unit having a passage for liquid. The upper unit including a flip spout member that can be flipped between an up position and a down position. In the up-position, the passage is open for the water to flow out, while the passage is blocked in the down-position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. filed 62/961,912, filed on Jan. 16, 2020, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a liquid dispenser, and moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a cap assembly for aliquid dispenser.

BACKGROUND

Water jugs are one of the popular means for carrying drinking water.These are available in different capacities ranging from 1 to 5 Liters,wherein water jugs of capacity one and a half gallons are more popularbecause of the portability. The available water jugs are manufactured indifferent shapes including round to square. However, the mouths of mostof the available water jugs are the same i.e., of an upstandingcylindrical configuration. The broad mouths allow both filling water inthe jug and drinking from the jug easier. The openings in the jugs canbe closed by lids or caps. Such lids or caps can be secured to theupstanding walls of the opening of the jugs through a couplingmechanism. The coupling mechanism can be screw or snapping the cap tothe mouth. However, known caps or lids suffer from one or moredrawbacks. The major drawback is that the caps are not durable and arefrequently compromised or lost. Moreover, many cap designs also sufferfrom water leakage problems. While standard jugs are popular, the lidsor tops are not always dependable or durable resulting in theaforementioned problems.

Thus, a need is appreciated for a cap assembly for a drinking vesselthat is devoid of the aforementioned problems of the known caps or lids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part ofthe specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention.Together with the description, the figures further explain theprinciples of the present invention and to enable a person skilled inthe relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the members of the cap assembly arranged in an axialrelationship, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A is a side perspective view of the base member, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is another top and side perspective view of the base member,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the plug member, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is another perspective view of the plug member, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a side view of the plug member, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the stem member, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a front view of the stem member, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4C is another perspective view showing a central hollow threadedtunnel, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a top and side perspective view of a housing member,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a front view of the housing member, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5C is a top view of the housing member, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5D is a bottom and side perspective view of the housing member,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a flip spout member, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the flip spout member, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6C is a front view of the flip spout member, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows the cap assembly secured to a mouth of a drinking vessel,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments.Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different formsand, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to beconstrued as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forthherein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative.Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matteris intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may beembodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in alimiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments ofthe present invention” does not require that all embodiments of theinvention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode ofoperation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments ofthe invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that theterms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, whenused herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best currentlycontemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of theinvention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but ismade merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined bythe allowed claims of any resulting patent.

Disclosed is a cap assembly for drinking vessels. The disclosed capassembly is spill and leakproof, and reusable. In one case, thedisclosed cap assembly can be manufactured in standard sizes that fitthe mouths of known drinking vessel. The disclosed cap assembly canuniversally fit drinking vessels having a mouth opening of 13/8 inchesand including both the threaded and snap fitting mouths. The capassembly can be reusable while the drinking vessel can be changed.

Referring to FIG. 1 which shows the members of the disclosed capassembly. The cap assembly includes a base member 200, a plug member300, a stem member 400, a housing member 500, and a flip spout member600. The members shown in FIG. 1 are arranged axially in order ofassemblage. The plug member 300 can be received onto the threaded shankof the base 200. The length of the threaded shank is more than theheight of the plug member, so a part of the threaded shank projectsupwards from the plug. Each the base member, the plug member, the stemmember, and the housing member having a central aperture or tunnelforming a passage for fluid. The broken line shown in FIG. 1 is an axisshowing the path of the passage through the components of the capassembly.

The stem member having an inner threaded tunnel, wherein the stem membercan threadedly engage with the threaded shank of the base member. Thehousing member fixedly encases the stem member, and the flip spoutmember engaged to the top of the housing member, wherein the flip spoutmember can be switched between the up position and the down position. Inthe up position, the passage is open for the water and allows drinkingfrom the vessel, while in the down position, the passage of water isblocked.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which shows two perspective views of thebase member 100. The base member includes a round head 210 and anupstanding threaded shank 220 that extends from the head 210. Theupstanding threaded shank is hollow throughout and a flange extendsperpendicularly from the lower end's periphery of the shank, which formsthe head 210 of the base member. The flange having an upper surface anda lower surface. The upper surface of the flange is adjacent to theshank.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, which shows two perspective views ofthe plug member and one side view. The plug member 300 having a flatbase 310, a central aperture 320 in the flat base, and an upstandingwall 330 that extends from the flat base. The plug member can be made ofa flexible material such as silicone. The diameter of the centralaperture 320 can be more than an external diameter of the threadedshank, such that the plug member can be inserted into the shank, whereinthe flat base can be seen resting over the upper surface of the flange.The height of the plug can be less than the length of the threadedshank, such that a portion of the threaded shank projects when the plugis inserted over the threaded shank. The flat base 310 of the plugmember 300 rests against the head of the base member. The diameter ofthe plug member can be slightly less than the inner diameter of themouth of a drinking vessel, such that the plug member can be insertedinto the mouth. More specifically, the plug member can closely or snuglyfit into the mouth of a drinking vessel. Additionally, the outerdiameter of the head of the base member can be the same or less than thediameter of the flat base of the plug member. The base member and theplug member forms a lower unit, wherein the lower unit is receivedwithin the mouth of the drinking vessel.

The plug member when expanded within the mouth of the drinking vesselsealably engages to the mouth, wherein water in the drinking vesselcould flow through the hollow shank of the base member.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C which shows the top-side perspectiveview, a front view, and a bottom-side perspective view of the stemmember 400, respectively. The stem member 400 having an inverted bellshape bottom 410 that is continuous with an elongated shaft 420 andterminates into a flange portion 430. The stem member having a centraltunnel 440 that extends along its length. The central tunnel can be ofan inner diameter that is commensurate with the external diameter of thethreaded shank. The central tunnel of the stem member is having threads450, wherein the stem member can threadedly engage to the threaded shankof the base member. At first, the stem member can be threaded to theprojected portion of the base member, the base member includes the plugmember, wherein the inverted bell portion of the stem member isjuxtaposed to the upstanding wall of the plug member. Further fasteningof the stem member, results in the inverted bell portion to push thewalls of the plug member causing it to expand. When the plug is insertedinto the mouth of a drinking vessel, the expansion of the plug memberagainst the wall of the mouth sealably engages the cap assembly to themouth of the bottle.

Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, which shows the top and sideperspective view, a front view, a top view, and a bottom and sideperspective view of the housing 500. FIG. 5A shows the top and sideperspective view of the housing 500. A cavity 510 can be seen on the topside of the housing for engaging a flip spout member (shown in FIG. 6A).The cavity can be seen as having a central aperture 520 in the top wallof the housing member 500. The central aperture of the housing member,the hollow stem member, the hollow shank of the base member forms apassage of the cap assembly through which a liquid can flow in and outand for drinking. Above the central aperture 520 can be seen a pair ofgrooves 530 on opposite faces of the cavity. These groves are forpivotally engaging a flip spout member (shown in FIG. 6A). FIG. 5D showsa bottom perspective view of the housing member showing that the housingmember is hollow from the bottom. The hollow housing member can fixedlyenclose the stem member. Turning the housing member turns the stemmember in either a clockwise direction or anticlockwise direction.

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show a perspective view, a top view,and a front view of the flip spout member 600. The flip spout member 600can pivotally be coupled to the cavity 510 of the housing member, andthrough it, a user can drink. The flip spout member 600 is a hollowcuboid configuration body 610 that is commensurate with the shape of thecavity 510. The flip spout member 600 having a pair of fastening pins630 that extends from the opposite faces of the body 610. Thesefastening pins can pivotally engage with the grooves 530 of the housingmember. The flip spout member 600 can flip between an up position and adown position, wherein in the up position the hollow body of the flipspout member is in fluid communication with the passage of the capassembly and allows fluid through the passage assembly to flow out, forexample, pouring or drinking water from the vessel. When the flip spoutmember is switch to a down position, the central aperture of the housingmember is blocked by the flip spout member, thus blocking the passage.

Referring to FIG. 7 which shows the disclosed cap assembly 100 securedto a mouth 120 of the drinking vessel 110. In one embodiment, a user caninsert the cap assembly 100 into a mouth of a drinking vessel, such thatthe plug member of the cap assembly is within the mouth of the drinkingvessel. The housing member can then be turned, which causes the plugmember to expand against the wall of the mouth of the drinking vessel.The housing member can be turned until the cap assembly is sealablyengaged to the mouth of the drinking vessel. When not in use, the flipspout member can remain in the down position closing the passage. Foruse, the flip spout member can be turned up, resulting in the opening ofthe passage for water. The flip spout member can be received between thelips of a person for drinking through the flip spout member. It is to beunderstood that the flip spout member can be replaced by any drinkingfaucet. Alternatively, the flip spout member can be replaced by anyfaucet that allows pouring liquid through the cap assembly. Also, it isto be understood that the flip spout member can be optional. The housingmember can have an aperture on its top side, wherein the aperture can bepositioned anywhere on top including the center or near the edge. Theshaft of the stem member fluidly connects to the aperture in the top ofthe housing member, wherein the shaft can be straight or curved. In oneexemplary embodiment, the hollow shaft of the stem member or theaperture of the housing member or the cavity in top side of the housingmember can include a water filter for filtering the water flowingthrough the cap assembly.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap assembly for a drinking vessel, the capassembly comprising: a lower unit and an upper unit, the lower unitcomprising a base member removably coupled to a plug member, the basemember comprising an upstanding, hollow, and threaded shank, the shankhaving a proximal end and a distal end, a flange perpendicular extendsfrom a periphery of the distal end of the shank, the flange having anupper surface and a lower surface; the plug member comprising a flatbase having a first aperture that is configured to receive the shank,and an upstanding wall that extends along the periphery of the flatbase, the plug member received over the shank, wherein the flat base ofthe plug member rest against the upper surface of the flange, the plugmember made of a flexible material; and the upper unit fastened to thelower unit, the upper unit is operable to cause the plug member toexpand and retract, wherein the plug member is configured to expandagainst a wall of a mouth of the drinking vessel for sealably engagingto the mouth, wherein the shank and the upper unit form a passage forfluid.
 2. The cap assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper unitfurther comprises a stem member, a housing member, and a flip spoutmember.
 3. The cap assembly according to claim 2, wherein the stemmember comprises an elongated hollow shaft, an inverted bell-shapedbottom configured around a lower portion of the shaft, an inner surfaceof the shaft having threads configured to threadedly fasten to theshank, the inverted bell-shaped bottom juxtaposes to the wall of theplug member while the stem member is fastened to the shank.
 4. The capassembly according to claim 3, wherein the housing member is hollow atits bottom and encase the stem member, the shaft of the stem memberfixedly coupled to the housing member, the housing member having anaperture that opens in the hollow shaft of the stem member.
 5. The capassembly according to claim 4, wherein the flip spout member is coupledto the housing member, the flip spout member is configured to switchbetween an up-position and a down-position, in the up-position thepassage for fluid is accessible and the fluid can flow out of the capassembly, the passage is blocked in the down position.
 6. The capassembly according to claim 5, wherein the flip spout member comprises ahollow body, the hollow body is in fluid communication with the passagein the up-position of the flip spout member.
 7. The cap assemblyaccording to claim 6, wherein the flip spout member is configured to bereceived between lips of a user for drinking through the flip spoutmember.
 8. The cap assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plugmember is made of silicone.
 9. A drinking vessel comprising: a containerbody having a mouth, the mouth having an opening; a cap assemblycomprising: a lower unit and an upper unit, the lower unit comprising abase member removably coupled to a plug member, the base membercomprising an upstanding, hollow, and threaded shank, the shank having aproximal end and a distal end, a flange perpendicular extends from aperiphery of the distal end of the shank, the flange having an uppersurface and a lower surface; the plug member comprising a flat basehaving a first aperture that is configured to receive the shank, and anupstanding wall that extends along the periphery of the flat base, theplug member received over the shank, wherein the flat base of the plugmember rest against the upper surface of the flange, the plug membermade of a flexible material; and the upper unit fastened to the lowerunit, the upper unit is operable to cause the plug member to expand andretract, wherein the plug member is configured to expand against a wallof the mouth of the drinking vessel for sealably engaging to the mouth,wherein the shank and the upper unit form a passage for fluid.
 10. Thedrinking vessel according to claim 9, wherein the upper unit furthercomprises a stem member, a housing member, and a flip spout member. 11.The drinking vessel according to claim 10, wherein the stem membercomprises an elongated hollow shaft, an inverted bell-shaped bottomconfigured around a lower portion of the shaft, an inner surface of theshaft having threads configured to threadedly fasten to the shank, theinverted bell-shaped bottom juxtaposes to the wall of the plug memberwhile the stem member is fastened to the shank.
 12. The drinking vesselaccording to claim 11, wherein the housing member is hollow at itsbottom and encase the stem member, the shaft of the stem member fixedlycoupled to the housing member, the housing member having an aperturethan opens in the hollow shaft of the stem member.
 13. The drinkingvessel according to claim 12, wherein the flip spout member is coupledto the housing member, the flip spout member is configured to switchbetween an up-position and a down-position, in the up-position thepassage for fluid is accessible and the fluid can flow out of the capassembly, the passage is blocked in the down position.
 14. The drinkingvessel according to claim 13, wherein the flip spout member comprises ahollow body, the hollow body is in fluid communication with the passagein the up-position of the flip spout member.
 15. The drinking vesselaccording to claim 14, wherein the flip spout member is configured to bereceived between lips of a user for drinking through the flip spoutmember.
 16. The drinking vessel according to claim 9, wherein the plugmember is made of silicone.
 17. A cap assembly for a drinking vessel,the cap assembly comprising: a base member; a plug member coupled to thebase member, the plug member made of resilient material that isconfigured to expand and retract under an external pressure; and a stemmember fastened to the base member and configured to exert the externalpressure on the plug member, wherein the base member and the stem memberforms a passage for fluid.
 18. The cap assembly according to claim 17,wherein the cap assembly further comprises a spout member configured toswitch between an open position and a closed position, the passage isaccessible in the open position and blocked in the close position. 19.The cap assembly according to claim 18, wherein the cap assembly furthercomprises a housing member coupled to the stem member, the spout membercoupled to the housing member, wherein the housing member encases thestem member and having an aperture continuous with the passage.
 20. Thecap assembly according to claim 19, wherein the cap assembly furthercomprises a water filter fitted in the passage or over the aperture ofthe housing member.